Decorating with plates

What a great way to brighten up a wall, and can be cost effective too.  Unless, of course, you are using the Fornasetti plates which retail for around £1,500 for 6!  I must admit I do like them, but I especially like the vases, ceramic jars and candles from this range.  Candles come in around £100, slightly more affordable but I must admit I would be scared to burn it!

I digress, the white plates could be picked up cheaply, even from Ikea?  I especially love the white plates against the dark grey wall.  Grouped together like this they look great.  You could also choose a colour theme, like the image with the blue plates, which looks extremely artistic due to the way the plates have been hung to overlap.  Hanging plates used to be considered a bit 'twee' or old fashioned but seeing these images I don't think so.  It's a great way to display china which may otherwise be relegated to the back of a cupboard!

Converted churches and chapels

Nowadays there are many churches and chapels which have been converted to beautiful homes.  From rustic and traditional to totally minimal.  It won't surprise you to learn living in a church is top of the list of unusual properties to live in.  I don't know if it's for everyone, with a church's unique history and inherent meaning, would you feel comfortable calling it home?  Strangely I think I could, as long as I purchased it fully renovated with all the interesting features intact and with the benefit of underfloor heating, insulation etc.  I always thought I would go for a rustic, traditional look.  But having seen the all white minimal images, I actually think I prefer them.  See what you think!